Farrerol inhibits IL-6 and IL-8 production in LPS-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts by suppressing PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway

• Farrerol inhibits LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production.
• Farrerol inhibits LPS-induced NF-κB activation.
• Farrerol inhibits LPS-induced PI3K and Akt phosphorylation.

ObjectivesFarrerol, a new type of 2,3-dihydro-flavonoid isolated from rhododendron, has been shown to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of farrerol on the production of IL-6 and IL-8 in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).MethodsThe cytotoxicity of farrerol was determined using the MTT assay. The production of IL-6 and IL-8 was measured using ELISA and qRT-PCR. The effects of farrerol on PI3K, Akt phosphorylation, and NF-κB activation were detected using western blotting analyses.ResultsThese results showed that farrerol inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production in a dose dependent manner. LPS-induced NF-κB activation was suppressed by farrerol. Furthermore, farrerol suppressed LPS-induced PI3K and Akt phosphorylation, which are upstream molecules of NF-κB.ConclusionThese results indicated that farrerol attenuated IL-6 and IL-8 production by inhibition of PI3K and AKT phosphorylation, resulting in an inhibition of NF-κB activation. Farrerol may be a therapeutic agent for the treatment of periodontal disease.